A Love Encounter

The word Love is probably the most misused word in our vocabulary. Ask five random people walking on the street what their definition of love is—I’m sure you’ll get five different answers.

The word “love” is described in the Bible as being God Himself. It says, “God is love,” (1 John 4:8). Essentially, if you’re sharing Love with someone, you’re sharing God with someone.

So, what is the opposite of love? Well, it’s hate.

So, if the opposite of love is hate, then what’s the opposite of God? The devil, right? So, if you are not showing love, then what are you doing?

Instead of showing others the awesomeness of your God, you’re showing them the nastiness of the enemy.

the influence of the flesh
Sometimes our flesh gets a hold of our thought process and it is important that we learn to catch ourselves as soon as we feel that beginning to take hold. Someone desperately searching for love can be driven further away by the smallest act of hate—even if it’s unintentional!

It is our job as Christians to care more about the people on the road to hell than satisfying our human nature with gossip, backstabbing, and hatred. It’s time for Christians to step up and grow up.

There are people desperate to hear the grace message and we are chosen to share it with them—so, let’s share it!

Galatians 5:30-16 says:
“For brethren, you were called to freedom; only do not let freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve one another.
For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is complied with in the one precept, you shall love your neighbor as yourself,
But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you and your whole fellowship are not consumed by one another.
But I say, walk and live in the Holy Spirit [responsive to and guided by the Spirit; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings of the flesh (human nature without God).”

love is critical
Pastor Kimon told a story in church about a young man whose funeral he had attended. The young man in the casket had committed suicide because he said he didn’t have any friends in the world. Unfortunately for the young man, Pastor Kimon was sitting in a funeral full of his friends.

What if someone that day had chosen to show him kindness instead of neglect? Or love instead of hate? All he may have needed was one person to show love that day, and it could have changed the course of his life.

Let’s show life-changing love every day—on purpose!

His love never fails
When it comes down to it, Christians just need to remember their roots. We were made in the image of God. So, we were made in the image of love. We need to just get over ourselves and remember the big picture: Jesus died for everyone. Nobody has to earn His grace, His mercy or His love. It’s already been given to us, and it’s our job to minister the love of God to everyone we come in contact with.

Don’t worry about getting everyone you come in contact with saved. Show them the love of God that you know in your heart, and let the love (God) do the ministering.

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By donating to Harvest Barn Church, you are partnering with us in ministering God’s love to the world, and we believe God will reward you as a valuable minister of His gospel. Help us reach the multitudes.